3 minute read
St. Mary’s Hosts 1A Provincial Basketball Championship
St. Mary’s Hosts 1A Provincial Basketball Championship
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
St. Mary’s Catholic School in Vegreville was the host site of the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) 1A Provincial Basketball Championship March 14-16.
Following St. Mary’s March 15 match up against the Breton Cougars, Assistant Principal Darby Murphy remarked that it is “an absolute honour and privilege” to host the championship which featured the top 1A basketball teams in the province.
“Our hope was to bring some attention to Vegreville,” said Darby. In addition to providing an economic boost to the town by bringing approximately 180 athletes, 30 coaches, families and numerous spectators; the event also raised the profile of the school.
Darby said they received “nothing but praise” as host school and for the facilities it offers. He estimated that 100 volunteers, including staff and students, donated their time to make it the best experience possible for all involved.
Not only was the atmosphere fantastic, but so was the play of the teams that came from: Worsley, Fox Creek, Calgary, Oyen, Consort, Coalhurst, Airdrie, Coaldale, Forestburg, Paradise Valley and Breton. Being the host school, St. Mary’s was allowed to compete in the championship.
Darby said the St. Mary’s squad was ranked 12th going into the championship and said it provided a great opportunity for the players to gain some experience at the highest level. They were hoping the team could pull out a victory and they managed to do so in their final game against the Forestburg Falcons on March 16, winning by a score of 85-73.
“I’ve coached and played at Provincials,” said Darby. “It started my passion for sports, coaching and teaching.” Participating in Provincials created lifelong memories for him as well as so many other athletes. Darby said it was also neat that his son Joshua Murphy was participating in the championship as a Grade 9 student with St. Mary’s.
“We’re a really young team,” said St. Mary’s Coach Jacquie Stuart. There was only one Grade 12 player on the team, and Stuart said the remainder of the players will be returning next season. As far as this season, Stuart said they had “tremendous growth” particularly in the second half of the season. “They work really well as a team.”
To play in front of the school and have the entire cheering you on is a once in a lifetime opportunity, noted Stuart. Having Father Robert Lee as Assistant Coach has been very impactful as well. “Father Robert is a very important part of the team and the team wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Stuart said the team played its best games of the season at Provincials and commented on how proud she was of how they played. “I know that next year’s going to be a lot of fun.”
